FootyPop: NWSL Rookies Had a Goal-Filled Weekend

March 25, 2024
By Hannah Cantrell

It was another blockbuster weekend in the NWSL. The Spirit, Dash, Wave, and Red Stars set home-opener attendance records; rookies had a goal-filled weekend and much more. Keep on reading for this week’s women’s soccer news recap!

High of the Weekend

BUZZER BEATER BETHUNE 😱 pic.twitter.com/polN8fWySX

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) March 24, 2024

Rookies had a weekend in the NWSL! Three first-year players scored their first goals for their respective teams.

Croix Bethune scored a buzzer-beater to win the Spirit’s game against Bay FC after Hal Hershfelt scored an upper ninety banger to tie the game.

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In the Utah Royals vs. North Carolina Courage match, Ally Sentnor dribbled from the half line, ripped a shot from outside the 18, and scored, pushing her team to a 2-1 lead.

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Low of the Weekend

Hoping it's nothing serious 🤕 @jennatonelli with the latest 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ZerrFKcOMq

— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) March 25, 2024

In the Portland Thorns vs. Gotham FC match, Midge Purce went down clutching her knee at the end of the first half. You could see she immediately was telling her coach she was done. Portland is one of two NWSL teams that still play on a turf field, which many are denouncing because of the number of injuries that happen on turf.

News of the Weekend

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The women’s soccer groups are out for the Olympics! There are 12 teams in the tournament, compared to 16 on the men’s side. The United States will look to redeem its poor performance in the 2020 Olympics and chase that gold medal.

Here’s a breakdown of the groups:

A: France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand
B: United States, CAF Qualifier 2 (Zambia or Morrocco), Germany, Australia
C: Spain, Japan, CAF Qualifier 1 (Nigeria or South Africa), Brazil

Win of the Weekend

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The Chicago Red Stars are the first team to finish last in the previous season and then win their first two games! They’re at the top of the table, which has to feel great for this team.

Game of the Weekend

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Over in Liga F in Spain, Barcelona played Atletico Madrid in El Clasico Femenino. Barcelona has historically been the best team in the league, winning 3-0.

Goal of the Weekend

Stina really hit em with the triple meg🥜🥜🥜
Your striker could never😌 pic.twitter.com/74nq8IwZTF

— Katina McStenius (@Iagoonerbeach) March 24, 2024

Stina Blackstenius’ triple-meg goal was insane. Although there is an argument she may have been offside at the start of this play, the goal was allowed. The Arsenal attacker dribbled into the box and actually fell on her own before getting up and shooting the ball, megging two defenders and the keeper before hitting the back of the net.

Goalkeeper of the Weekend

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Alyssa Naeher allowed just one goal to the Seattle Reign on Saturday, leading Chicago to a 2-1 victory. This win marks 50 in her career with the Red Stars, the most of any goalkeeper with a single team.

Player of the Weekend

6 – @RacingLouFC's Reilyn Turner hit 6 shots on target on Saturday, the first player other than Sophia Smith to do so in a regular season #NWSL match since Carli Lloyd in 2019. Aim. pic.twitter.com/UUo9rFSULT

— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) March 24, 2024

Despite a scoreless draw between Racing Louisville and Houston Dash, we’d be remiss without highlighting rookie Reilyn Turner’s performance. She hit six shots on target and consistently put herself in goal-scoring opportunities.